Method for fastening a conduit on a support by means of freely adjustable captive flanges

Abstract

A fastening method configured to fasten a mechanical part on a support by means of a fastening flange, the method including: placing the fastening flange on a first segment of the part, in a loose configuration, providing on the first segment at least one stop and on the fastening flange at least one bearing member, which cooperates with the stop so as to limit, in the loose configuration, the stroke of the fastening flange to a predetermined allowed displacement range, which allows to freely select an adapted position among a plurality of accessible positions, and to provide on the flange a locking mechanism arranged such that, when the subassembly is fastened to the support by means of the at least one lug, then a locking of the body of the fastening flange is automatically caused on the mechanical part in the adapted position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention concerns the fastening of a mechanical member, such as a conduit used for a fluid transfer, on a support, such as a vehicle engine or chassis.STATE OF THE ART[0002]It is known to fasten conduits on engine or chassis elements by means of lugs, which support the conduit and which are fastened by screwing on the engine or the chassis.[0003]According to a known arrangement, the lugs may be formed of rigid plastic, and for example molded in one piece with the conduit, overmolded on said conduit, or fastened on the conduit by welding.[0004]The drawback of such an arrangement is that the lugs are rigidly connected to the conduit, and therefore may not be adjusted as a function of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances. Furthermore, such a rigid junction facilitates the transmission of the vibrations.[0005]Another known arrangement consists in providing a flange, distinct from the conduit, and which comprises, on the one hand, a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a new way to attach a mechanical part to a support that overcomes the limitations of existing methods. It allows for easy and fast attachment to a variety of support configurations, and compensates for manufacturing tolerances. The invention also allows for pre-positioning of the attachment flanges, making it easier to attach the mechanical part to the support. It uses a stop and bearing member system to limit the movement of the attachment flange relative to the support, ensuring the attachment is secure and stable. Overall, the invention simplifies attachment and prevents assembly failures.

Problems solved by technology

The drawback of such an arrangement is that the lugs are rigidly connected to the conduit, and therefore may not be adjusted as a function of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances.

However, one drawback of such an arrangement lies in the fact that, in order to prevent the flange from being lost by sliding and falling from the conduit, the body of the flange and the elastomer pad must be dimensioned so that the elastomer pad exerts a tightening on the conduit as soon as the flange is placed on said conduit.

In practice, here again, and because of the high friction that the elastomer exerts against the conduit, it is not possible to adjust the position of the flange relative to the conduit, after having placed the flange on the conduit, without to risking to damage, and in particular to rip off or tear, the elastomer pad, or even to damage the conduit.

Furthermore, the manufacture of such flanges constituted of several components, which comprise at least one elastomer pad carried by at least one body made of a more rigid, generally metal, material, may be relatively complex and expensive.

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